Pro angler? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dsafety · 04-26-2010, 08:13 AM

I have observed a few guys on the water in the Pro Angler. The extra space and stability appear to be pluses but the extra weight and reduced agility would be a deal killer for me. Launching and landing in any kind of surf would certainly be a challenge.

I think the Prangler would be a great boat for lakes, bays and other flat water venues. For fishing off LJ, maybe not so much, although Kurtfish says he loves his.

Bob

blitzburgh · 04-26-2010, 09:19 AM

Really happy P.A. owner here. I love all of the room and storage I have on the boat. Surprisingly quick, plenty agile to me and SUPER-stable. I stand up in it, often. I am an little over 6'-2" and 215lb. That said, the boat is no joke to transport. At the end of a long day on the water you will not be looking forward to packing up

. The Thule racks I installed on my car make a world of difference, if you have a truck, you're golden. One thing for sure, BUY A SET OF WHEELS immediately. This is a good idea for most yaks, a MUST for the P.A.. I cannot speak for the surf launch aspect of it yet but I know guys have done it successfully with relatively no major changes in technique or problems. I plan on a few practice sessions in the coming weeks. All that said, I LOVE my P.A.

.

THE DARKHORSE · 04-26-2010, 10:54 AM

To say it's not the right boat for La Jolla?...ah, nevermind. I've fished the Pro Angler in La Jolla and it's handles very well. Easily as well as the Outback. And I really like the bow design compared to the Outback, as you don't have the bow splash.

The Pro Angler's uber-stable, but faster than most kayaks. You can hook, fight and land fish...standing up! As a matter of fact I'm making space in the garage for one now.

sandydiego · 04-26-2010, 11:50 AM

I really like the idea of a peddle kayak. I will be on my x-factor for some time. Saving up my $$.

h2ofishfo · 04-26-2010, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE DARKHORSE

To say it's not the right boat for La Jolla?...ah, nevermind. I've fished the Pro Angler in La Jolla and it's handles very well. Easily as well as the Outback. And I really like the bow design compared to the Outback, as you don't have the bow splash.

The Pro Angler's uber-stable, but faster than most kayaks. You can hook, fight and land fish...standing up! As a matter of fact I'm making space in the garage for one now.

kick back ????????????j/k or am iiiiii ha seen plenty of guys eat shizz in the surf. lack of experience maybe amusing to watch possibly

roosta · 04-27-2010, 11:40 AM

The Pro Angler surf launches just fine. Like any kayak, it takes a little getting used too, especially since it is 38" wide. I have fished a bunch off of it in the ocean on both calm and bumpy days, and surf launched it a number of times. The PA is very stable and nice for standing up and casting surface iron at yellows. It is surprisingly fast for its size and has plenty of storage space. The large seat is really comfy and is raised up so your butt stays dry; the center hatch that houses your tackle provides easy access. The horizontal rod storage keeps your rods flat and safe when launching and landing through the surf. Go get one!

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

toby · 04-27-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h2ofishfo

kick back ????????????j/k or am iiiiii ha seen plenty of guys eat shizz in the surf. lack of experience maybe amusing to watch possibly

Hey, that's me your watching crash. Don't blame the boat. I'm learning, I'll get there. It's a great boat and very well designed

I'd put up a crash smilie but I don't see one.

If your going to put down the money for a new boat, I'd seriously consider a Hobie because of the peddles. Before I got my Pro Angler I had a paddle yak. I went with a friend he spent all day fishing and I spent most of the day paddling to stay in position.

Good luck with your decision.

WahooUSMA · 04-27-2010, 01:51 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRSl9-9g3g

dsafety · 04-27-2010, 04:46 PM

Wahoo, I am assuming that that was not James Cameron behind the camera. I started getting sea sick just trying to watch the video.

Kidding aside, I was surprised at how dry the launch was in the Prangler. My Revo would have plowed through some of those gnarly two footers but the Prangler went right over the top. Cool!

The landing, of course, was something we all have experienced. I have seen some guys who are able to surf their yaks all the way to the beach but most of us look like the video about half the time.

Maybe just for fun, we ought to have a surf contest for yakfishers one of these days. Get some judges who grade the launch, landing and degree of difficulty, (based on wave size, yak size and other variables.) That would be a fun event and an even better video.

Bob

04-26-2010, 10:54 AM	#3
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	The Pro Angler is sick! To say it's not the right boat for La Jolla?...ah, nevermind. I've fished the Pro Angler in La Jolla and it's handles very well. Easily as well as the Outback. And I really like the bow design compared to the Outback, as you don't have the bow splash. The Pro Angler's uber-stable, but faster than most kayaks. You can hook, fight and land fish...standing up! As a matter of fact I'm making space in the garage for one now. __________________

04-27-2010, 11:40 AM	#6
roosta Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 68	Get one! The Pro Angler surf launches just fine. Like any kayak, it takes a little getting used too, especially since it is 38" wide. I have fished a bunch off of it in the ocean on both calm and bumpy days, and surf launched it a number of times. The PA is very stable and nice for standing up and casting surface iron at yellows. It is surprisingly fast for its size and has plenty of storage space. The large seat is really comfy and is raised up so your butt stays dry; the center hatch that houses your tackle provides easy access. The horizontal rod storage keeps your rods flat and safe when launching and landing through the surf. Go get one! Uploaded with ImageShack.us

04-27-2010, 01:51 PM	#8
WahooUSMA Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rancho Cucamonga Posts: 753	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRSl9-9g3g __________________ GO ARMY BEAT NAVY! Bad decisions make great stories!

04-26-2010, 08:13 AM	#1
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	I have observed a few guys on the water in the Pro Angler. The extra space and stability appear to be pluses but the extra weight and reduced agility would be a deal killer for me. Launching and landing in any kind of surf would certainly be a challenge. I think the Prangler would be a great boat for lakes, bays and other flat water venues. For fishing off LJ, maybe not so much, although Kurtfish says he loves his. Bob

04-26-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
blitzburgh Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Menifee Posts: 2,509	Really happy P.A. owner here. I love all of the room and storage I have on the boat. Surprisingly quick, plenty agile to me and SUPER-stable. I stand up in it, often. I am an little over 6'-2" and 215lb. That said, the boat is no joke to transport. At the end of a long day on the water you will not be looking forward to packing up . The Thule racks I installed on my car make a world of difference, if you have a truck, you're golden. One thing for sure, BUY A SET OF WHEELS immediately. This is a good idea for most yaks, a MUST for the P.A.. I cannot speak for the surf launch aspect of it yet but I know guys have done it successfully with relatively no major changes in technique or problems. I plan on a few practice sessions in the coming weeks. All that said, I LOVE my P.A. .

04-26-2010, 11:50 AM	#4
sandydiego Rum Pirate Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Wilds of Mira Mesa Posts: 388	I really like the idea of a peddle kayak. I will be on my x-factor for some time. Saving up my $$.

04-27-2010, 04:46 PM	#9
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,123	Wahoo, I am assuming that that was not James Cameron behind the camera. I started getting sea sick just trying to watch the video. Kidding aside, I was surprised at how dry the launch was in the Prangler. My Revo would have plowed through some of those gnarly two footers but the Prangler went right over the top. Cool! The landing, of course, was something we all have experienced. I have seen some guys who are able to surf their yaks all the way to the beach but most of us look like the video about half the time. Maybe just for fun, we ought to have a surf contest for yakfishers one of these days. Get some judges who grade the launch, landing and degree of difficulty, (based on wave size, yak size and other variables.) That would be a fun event and an even better video. Bob